Southern California -- this just in

2nd USC shooting in a week: Suspect a gang member, police say

April 18, 2012 | 8:43
am

The suspect who was shot by USC security officers after allegedly robbing USC students near fraternity row early Wednesday is a documented Compton-area gang member who was on probation, Los Angeles police officials said.

Jeremy Hendricks, 24, who is being treated for a gunshot wound to the leg, had multiple prior arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and robbery, according to LAPD officials. He is on probation for manufacturing dangerous weapons, officials said. Police did not immediately say what the weapons were.

Hendricks is from Compton and police said they are investigating why he was in the USC area. According to sources, Compton gang members have been known to frequent the area around 43rd and Hoover streets.

Officials said it was far too early to know whether the incident is related to the shooting deaths of two USC graduate students from China last week in the 2900 block of South Raymond Avenue.

In the latest incident, the suspect approached four students -- three men and one woman -- near USC's fraternity row and demanded items, said Lt. Andy Neiman of the LAPD. He placed the items in a backpack and fled on foot. The students flagged down USC security, who tracked down the suspect and confronted him, Neiman said.

An officer saw the suspect was armed, Neiman said. When Hendricks made a sudden move, the security officer shot him in the leg, Neiman said.

The suspect's gun as well as property belonging to the students was recovered, Neiman said.

A memorial service for the students killed last week -- Ming Qu and Ying Wu, both 23-year-old electrical engineering students -- is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Shrine Auditorium.

No one has been arrested in connection with their deaths. The city and school have offered rewards totaling $200,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.